Catching Up...

March - Retirement Announcement

Well, we have had quite an eventful spring, and I have NOT been blogging on this site, although I've tried to keep up my school site.  Too much going on!  Actually, the cause of a lot of my stress this spring is this picture right here...

 I decided to retire!

Yes, after 41 years of teaching first graders, I decided in March to hang it up at the end of the school year.  I  told my principal., sent the official letter to the superintendent, and ordered a great big cake for the staff.

 Everyone gathered in the lounge in the morning, and no one had trouble eating chocolate cake at 7:45 am.  Look at all those smiles!

 Here's my first grade team - Carissa, me, Maureen, and Sue.  I have always been lucky to work with really great teams, and the current one has been together for three years.  Maureen and I, however,  have been together for a really long time! It was a very tough decision to hang it up, but after weighing all the pros and cons, I decided to go for it.  The last three months of school were certainly bittersweet as I started to clean out files, go through cupboards, and think about doing everything for the last time. 

April - Charlie Eats a Cookie

 One night in April, I went to do a little babysitting for Charlie, and I brought along the cutest frog cookie from the Cannon Falls Bakery.  He thought it was great!

 He started out very carefully, taking little nibbles.

 Mmmmm - it's good!

 Then, he shoved his whole face into the frosting - so nummy!

April - Easter

 Somehow, I only got pictures of the kids this year at our Easter celebration.  Since it was cold and windy outside, the egg hunt had to be inside, but that didn't seem to bother Charlie and Maddox!

 Oh, there's an adult (sort of).  Happy Easter!

April - Charlie Eats an Ice Cream Cone

 I found myself going to Jenna's quite frequently this spring, either to babysit, or just hang out and give her a hand with Charlie, since her due date was fast approaching in May.  One night, we headed to the local DQ for a treat.  Of course, my camera is always with me, and I can't resist a picture of a messy kid.  Charlie certainly qualified for that one!

CHARLIE!  What a mess!  It's the dot on the nose that looks really gross to me!  He cleaned up well, though, and we even let him back in the car. :-)

May and June to follow soon!